Some people are rolling stones, like ever since. And that probably won’t change much when they become parents. It’s just that now they have to make certain concessions and become more flexible because their little companion needs special conditions for a comfy trip. And let’s be honest – hotel mattresses and RV beds aren’t the coziest and safest place for a child to sleep and play.
When planning your first trip, the first thing that should be on your list before the trip is a travel crib, and from a bunch of crib options, one of our recommended choices is the Babybjorn travel crib.
Product Overview
This crib isn’t quite a budget-friendly choice, but it’s a high-quality product that provides superior comfort and safety, plus easy setup and a minimum of maintenance. That being said, you’ll get what you pay for.
You’ll love:
- Soft and comfy mattress
- Sturdy frame
- Almost effortless setup and tear down
- Utmost safety
- Ease of maintenance
- Handy carry bag
Not many things to complain about this travel crib, but some disadvantages include:
- A relatively high price compared to similar baby products
- Not having a zipper on the side
Specs
Package dimensions: 19” x 23” x 5.5” (49 x 60 x 14 cm)
Product dimensions: 32” x 44” x 24” (82 x 112 x 64 cm)
Mattress size: 23.5” x 41” x 1.2” (60 x 105 x 4 cm)
Weight: 13 lbs (6 kg)
Materials: steel (frame), mesh fabric (sidings), 50% polyester and 50% polyurethane (mattress), a mix of polyester and cotton (mattress cover)
Suggested age: 0-3
Features
Design and Construction
For the hefty price you pay for a portable cot, you expect it to be sturdy and functional but also to look great. This travel crib brings the best of all worlds – sleek design, great durability, and a comfy sleep and play area for little ones.
As for design, the Babybjorn travel crib comes in two options – Light and Easy go. They don’t differ in functionality but only in color combos. The Light model features a black frame and a carry bag of the same color, while the Easy go model comes in grayish shades.
The frame is made of not-so-thick rods, but it doesn’t wobble or fold even if your little one stands up and does a happy dance inside. The design with the legs outward provides great stability.
The pack n’ play mattress is plush and comfortable but firm, so your baby can both play or sleep on it. You might not be thrilled that your toddler lays on the floor, but you can’t do much about it. You can try with a blanket underneath the mattress (not inside!) to make this sleep and play area cozier, but that may not be a sustainable solution.
No zip-up door on the mesh fabric is a downside. It would be much easier for a toddler to get in or out if there were a zipper on the side. The edges are a bit higher, so bending over to lift a child can be a hassle.
Setup and Tear-Down
The Babybjorn travel crib light has a setup so intuitive that it only needs a pull or two to get the cot in place. The legs unfold almost by themselves, so it’ll only take just a few minutes to set up. This is great for long trips where you need to change hotels every once in a while.
Putting the mattress in is also easy, as the crib features a hoop-and-loop system. You just have to loop straps from the mattress’s bottom through the frame and attach them to hooks. That secures the mattress so it won’t move even if your baby crawls and jumps around.
The challenge with portable cribs is the take-down. Usually, the legs don’t fold or the frame doesn’t collapse easily, making it difficult to put back in the bag. Luckily, this problem is minimal with the travel crib light. Taking out the mattress and folding the frame back may take no less than two minutes.
Portability
When packed into a carry bag, this crib folds easily to the size of a suitcase. When you’re off on family trips, you can put it on the racks above your head when you travel by bus or train, as it weighs only 13 pounds.
This lightweight travel crib is great even when you don’t travel far away. You can go to your family or friends who are just a few blocks away, pack this portable cot in a carry bag and carry it with you. And while your child plays or sleeps safely in it, you can take a break and drink your coffee in peace.
Safety
Any parent will do their best to provide their baby with enough sleep and excitement on family trips. But safety should also be a priority, so be very careful when choosing a travel crib. It has to be comfortable but also meets certain standards, and Babybjorn did a great job.
For starters, this product has an unusual yet baby-friendly design. It features a triangular shape, no sharp edges, well-padded metal bars, and see-through mesh fabric on the sides, so you can always keep an eye on your toddler, and they can check up on you, too.
The mattress and cover materials are certified by OEKO TEX standards, meaning they’re free of harmful substances. They also carry no risk for little ones to be there as there are no small and loose parts, so there’s no choking hazard.
Babybjorn also puts lots of effort into meeting ASTM standards. That’s not an obligatory requirement, but the manufacturer tests this portable crib to provide buyers with the utmost peace of mind.
We highly recommend that you not rely on the specified age range, which tells that babies can safely play in this crib until they’re three. That’s an individual thing, as kids grow and develop their skills at their own pace. It’s best to observe and trust your judgment. Once your little bundle of joy grows up enough to climb over the edges, it’s time to pack it up and put it away.
Maintenance
Here’s where the Babybjörn travel crib light shines. Cleaning the crib is as easy as putting everything (but the frame) in a washing machine. All fabrics are removable and can be washed in a warm setting (90 to 110 Fahrenheit or 30 to 40 Celsius). And they air-dry fast, even during the winter, so there’s no need to tumble them in a dryer.
The fabrics’ resistance to wear and tear is worth mentioning. Little ones always find a way to mess up their crib with food. Also, it’s expected to have a few ”accidents” with leaky diapers, so there’ll be a time that you need to wash the crib fabrics, especially the mattress cover, several times a week. But even after a few dozen washes, the fabric remains soft and gentle to the touch without a single sign of wear.
Price
If we put the minor drawbacks aside, the price can be a bit too high for comfort. The package includes the crib, the pack n’ play mattress, and a handy carry bag. If you want a fitted sheet, you need to purchase it separately.
It’s natural for parents not to cut corners on the quality of products they use for their children. So, if you find something worth the price, there usually aren’t issues paying for it. But if you’re on a tight budget for a travel crib, you may want to look for more affordable options.
FAQs
Is the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light Safe for a Newborn?
The manufacturer states it’s perfectly safe to put your infant in this travel crib, as it’s hazard-free, comfortable, and approved for use from birth to age three. As the mattress lays flat on the floor, your baby can’t roll over and fall.
Is This Crib Greenguard Gold-Certified?
Unfortunately, just like many similar products, this travel crib isn’t Greenguard gold certified. It means you have no insight into the level of chemical emission this Babybjorn product releases.
Can I Carry This Travel Crib as Hand Luggage on a Plane?
Not really, as you have to check it in as an extra piece of luggage on plane trips.
To Sum Up
There are many reasons why this Babybjorn travel crib is among the most popular travel cribs on the market. It provides superior quality and a cozy and safe place for your little ones on your family trip. It may come with a higher price, but it’s definitely worth every dime!
